Beverage Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispenser ( 10 ) supplies a beverage from a beverage container ( 12 ) through a piping system, wherein a device is provided for sterilizing, by heat, said piping system and a connection portion ( 61 ) of said beverage container connected to said piping system. A beverage dispenser further supplies a beverage from a beverage container ( 12 ) through a piping system and a cock ( 32 ), wherein a device is provided for sterilizing by heat said piping system and said cock ( 32 ). Thus, the piping system in the dispenser is heat-sterilized.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dispenser for supplying a beverageincluding drinking water.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been placed in the market a variety of types of dispensersfor supplying a beverage, for example drinking water, i.e., waterservers. Accompanying an increase in the user's concern regardingdrinking water, however, it is required to maintain the safety of thedrinking water and to enhance the quality, from the taste viewpoint, ofthe drinking water. Referring to ensuring safety of the drinking waterin the case of, for example, a dispenser for feeding tap water, the tapwater itself has been sterilized to some extent with chlorine added intothe tap water for the purpose of sterilization. Therefore,microorganisms in the tap water are prevented from propagating, andthere is no problem. In the case of drinking water such as mineral waterand the like, however, no chlorine and the like has been added to thedrinking water for sterilization, and propagation of microorganisms inthe drinking water becomes a serious problem.

Propagation of microorganisms in drinking water is harmful to the humanbody if the microorganisms are pathogenic. Even if they are notpathogenic, the microorganisms cause the drinking water to have anoffensive taste and an offensive odor and often becoming a cause ofturbidity of the drinking water. Microorganisms hardly propagate in thedispenser if the drinking water is supplied consecutively. However,microorganisms may propagate if the drinking water stays in thedispenser for extended periods of time as when the dispenser is leftunused in an office during the night or during the weekends. Besides,when used for extended periods of time in the dispenser, flora ofmicroorganisms often propagate gradually.

In order to suppress the propagation of microorganisms in the dispenser,attempts have heretofore been made to pour a germicide or hot water of ahigh temperature from the outer side of the dispenser into a pipingsystem in the dispenser to circulate it therethrough, or to provide agerm-filtering device in the dispenser. From the standpoint of cost andmaintenance, further, attempts have been made as taught in, for example,Japanese Patent No. 3387526 to heat-sterilize a specific portion of thepiping system by arranging a heater in the specific portion of thepiping system of the dispenser that offers the drinking water from acontainer filled with the drinking water, without providing anyparticular sterilizer/filter device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating another dispenser 100according to a prior art such as Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication(Kokai) No. 11-190577. Referring to FIG. 6, a container 120 arranged ina refrigerator 110 and filled with the drinking water is connected to ahot water tank 130 heated by a heater 150 and to a cold water tank 140cooled by a cooler 160 through a pipe 210 and branched pipes 220, 280.As shown, hot water in the hot water tank 130 can be used by operating ahot water cock 310 provided in a pipe 230 and, similarly, cold water inthe cold water tank 140 can be used by operating a cold water cock 320provided in a pipe 250. A hot water introduction pipe 290 extending fromthe hot water tank 130 works to introduce therein the drinking water ofwhich the volume has increased due to the heating in the hot water tank130 so that the hot water is prevented from reversely flowing into thebranched pipe 220 etc. Further, the hot water or the cold water is morereliably prevented from reversely flowing by a check valve 215 providedin the pipe 210. A communication pipe 240 extending from the hot watertank 130 is communicated with the cold water tank 140 through acirculation valve 350 and a circulation pump 400. For example, at night,the circulation valve 350 is opened and the circulation pump 400 isdriven whereby the hot water in the hot water tank 130 is circulatedthrough the communication pipe 240, the cold water tank 140, pipe 220and pipe 280 so as to heat-sterilize them. In this case, too, the pipingsystem inclusive of the tanks can similarly be heated and sterilizedwithout providing any particular sterilizing/filtering device (see, forexample, Japanese Patent No. 3387526 and Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication (Kokai) No. 11-190577).

Here, however, when in use, the container filled with the drinking watertaught in the above patent documents is arranged in a dedicatedrefrigerator. The container is arranged in such a manner that aconnection portion, that has been provided for the container, is piercedand inserted by an end of the pipe extending into the refrigerator. Thedrinking water in the container is cooled by the refrigerator and ismaintained at a relatively low temperature of, for example, not higherthan 10° C. Therefore, even if various germs that have been adhered ontothe connection portion infiltrate at the time of inserting the pipe inthe connection portion, it is unlikely that various germs propagate inthe container since the temperature in the container is relatively low.

However, the container filled with the drinking water as a whole isarranged in the refrigerator and is maintained cool in the refrigeratoruntil the drinking water in the container is almost all used, causing aproblem of consuming large amounts of electric power for cooling thecontainer. Further, if the dispenser is provided with a refrigerator,the cost of production rises, the dispenser becomes bulky and thetransportation is difficult.

To solve the above problem, the present inventors have conducted a keenstudy and have learned that a dispenser capable of supplying hygienicdrinking water can be obtained, even without using a refrigerator, byheat-sterilizing the piping systems of the dispenser, by excluding, fromthe dispenser, the hot water introduction pipes which are portionsthrough which various germs may infiltrate, and by heat-sterilizing theconnection portion of the water container and the cocks through whichvarious germs may infiltrate, and have accomplished the presentinvention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beveragedispenser capable of maintaining sterilizing performance for a beveragedespite of omitting the refrigerator.

In order to achieve the above object according to a first aspect of theinvention, there is provided a beverage dispenser for supplying abeverage including drinking water from a beverage container through apiping system, wherein a device for sterilizing by heat the pipingsystem and a connection portion of the beverage container connected tothe piping system is provided.

According to the first aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beveragecontainer is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making itpossible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The piping system and theconnection portion are sterilized by a device that effects sterilizationby heat. When the dispenser is in use, a hygienic beverage can beserved. Further, when the beverage container is installed in thedispenser while piercing and inserting part of the piping system in theconnection portion, it is probable that various germs that have beenadhered on the connection portion may adhere on the piping system andmay infiltrate into the beverage container at the time of installation.In the first aspect, however, the connection portion is sterilized byheat, and various germs adhered on the connection portion are preventedfrom infiltrating into the beverage container and from propagatingtherein.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided abeverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system, wherein:

the piping system is provided with a storage tank for storing thebeverage;

the storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank having a coolingdevice and a hot beverage tank having a heating device; and

a device for sterilizing by heat the piping system, the cold beveragetank, the hot beverage tank and a connection portion of the beveragecontainer connected to the piping system is provided.

In the second aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beveragecontainer is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making itpossible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The piping system, the coldbeverage tank and the hot beverage tank are sterilized by a device thateffects the sterilization by heat. When the dispenser is in use, ahygienic hot beverage or cold beverage can be served. Further, when thebeverage container is installed in the dispenser while piercing andinserting part of the piping system in the connection portion, it isprobable that various germs that have been adhered on the connectionportion may adhere on the piping system and may infiltrate into thebeverage container at the time of installation. In the second aspect,however, the connection portion is sterilized by heat, and various germsadhered on the connection portion are prevented from infiltrating intothe beverage container and from propagating therein.

A third aspect is as set forth in the second aspect, wherein the devicefor sterilizing by heat causes the hot beverage to arrive at theconnection portion of the beverage container connected to the pipingsystem.

When the beverage container is installed in the dispenser while piercingand inserting part of the piping system in the connection portion, it isprobable that various germs that have been adhered on the connectionportion may adhere on the piping system and may infiltrate into thebeverage container at the time of installation. In the third aspect,however, the connection portion is sterilized by the hot beverage, andvarious germs are prevented from infiltrating into the beveragecontainer and from propagating therein. In the third aspect, thedistance between the circulation passage through which the hot beveragecirculates and the connection portion, is such that the hot beveragethat is circulating arrives at the connection portion but does notarrive at the beverage container.

A fourth aspect is as set forth in the third aspect, wherein the devicefor sterilizing by heat causes the hot beverage to arrive at theconnection portion of the beverage container connected to the pipingsystem by utilizing the volumetric expansion of the hot beverage.

That is, the fourth aspect makes it relatively easy to sterilize theconnection portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided abeverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system, wherein:

the piping system is provided with a storage tank for storing thebeverage;

the storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank having a coolingdevice and a hot beverage tank having a heating device;

the hot beverage in the hot beverage tank is caused to arrive at aconnection portion of the beverage container connected to the pipingsystem, the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank are connectedtogether through a communication pipe; and

a device for sterilizing by heat the piping system, the cold beveragetank, the hot beverage tank and the connection portion of the beveragecontainer connected to the piping system by circulating the hot beveragein the hot beverage tank through the piping system, the cold beveragetank and the hot beverage tank using the communication pipe is provided.

In the fifth aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beverage containeris omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making it possible to lowerthe running cost of the dispenser and to lower the cost of production.Further, the dispenser is realized in a small size facilitating thetransportation thereof. The piping system, the cold beverage tank, thehot beverage tank and the connection portion are sterilized by a devicethat effects the sterilization by heat. When the dispenser is in use, ahygienic hot beverage or cold beverage can be served. Further, when thebeverage container is installed in the dispenser while piercing andinserting part of the piping system in the connection portion, it isprobable that various germs that have been adhered on the connectionportion may adhere on the piping system and may infiltrate into thebeverage container at the time of installation. In the fifth aspect,however, the connection portion is sterilized by heat, and various germsadhered on the connection portion are prevented from infiltrating intothe beverage container and from propagating therein. In the fifthaspect, the distance between the circulation passage through which thehot beverage circulates and the connection portion, is such that the hotbeverage arrives at the connection portion but does not arrive at thebeverage container.

A sixth aspect is as set forth in any one of the first to fifth aspects,wherein absorbing means is provided between the beverage container andthe hot beverage tank to absorb a rise in the water level caused by thevolumetric expansion of the hot beverage in the hot beverage tank.

In the sixth aspect, even when the hot water introduction pipe and/orthe check valve of the prior art are not provided for the dispenser, therise in the water level caused by the volumetric change is absorbed bythe absorbing means when the volume of the hot beverage in the hotbeverage tank increases by being heated by the heating device.Therefore, the hot beverage is prevented from reversely flowing into thebeverage container to an excess degree, and the pressure in the hotbeverage tank is maintained within a predetermined range. The absorbingmeans may be a pipe in the form of, for example, a continuous coil, ormay simply be a pipe that is extended between the beverage container andthe hot beverage tank. Or, the absorbing means may be another coolingdevice provided between the beverage container and the hot beveragetank.

A seventh aspect is as set forth in any one of the second to sixthaspects, wherein the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank areconnected together through a communication pipe via a circulation pumpand an electromagnetic valve, and a timer is provided to operate theelectromagnetic valve and the circulation pump at regular intervals.

In the seventh aspect which uses the timer, the cold beverage in thecold beverage tank and the hot beverage in the hot beverage tank areused in a time zone in which the dispenser is used relatively highlyfrequently, such as during the day time, and the hot beverage iscirculated in a time zone in which the dispenser is used relativelylowly frequently, such as at night, to sterilize the piping system.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided abeverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system, wherein:

the piping system is provided with a storage tank, for storing thebeverage, and with a cock;

the storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank having a coolingdevice and a hot beverage tank having a heating device; and

a device for sterilizing by heat the piping system, the cock, the coldbeverage tank, the hot beverage tank and a connection portion of thebeverage container connected to the piping system is provided.

In the eighth aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beveragecontainer is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making itpossible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The piping system, the cock,the cold beverage tank, the hot beverage tank and the connection portionare sterilized by the device that effects the sterilization by heat.When the dispenser is in use, a hygienic hot beverage or cold beveragecan be served. In the eighth aspect, further, not only the piping systembut also the cock for supplying the beverage are sterilized by heat, andvarious germs are prevented from infiltrating into the dispenser throughthe beverage-pouring port.

A ninth aspect is as set forth in the eighth aspect, wherein the devicefor sterilizing by heat causes the hot beverage in the hot beverage tankto arrive at a connection portion of the beverage container connected tothe piping system, the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank areconnected together through a communication pipe, and the hot beverage inthe hot beverage tank is circulated through the piping system, the cock,the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank by using thecommunication pipe.

When the beverage container is installed in the dispenser whilestab-inserting part of the piping system in the connection portion, itis probable that various germs that have been adhered on the connectionportion may adhere on the piping system and may infiltrate into thebeverage container at the time of installation. In the ninth aspect,however, the connection portion is sterilized by the hot beverage, andvarious germs are prevented from infiltrating into the beveragecontainer and from propagating therein. In the ninth aspect, thedistance between the circulation passage through which the hot beveragecirculates and the connection portion, is such that the hot beveragethat is circulating arrives at the connection portion but does notarrive at, or flows little into, the beverage container. In the ninthaspect, further, the hot beverage is circulated to relatively easilysterilize the germs.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided abeverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system and a cock, wherein adevice for sterilizing by heat the piping system and the cock isprovided.

In the tenth aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beverage containeris omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making it possible to lowerthe running cost of the dispenser and to lower the cost of production.Further, the dispenser is realized in a small size facilitating thetransportation thereof. The piping system and the cock are sterilized bya device that effects the sterilization by heat. When the dispenser isin use, a hygienic beverage can be served. In the tenth aspect, further,not only the piping system but also the cock for supplying the beverageare sterilized by heat, and various germs are prevented frominfiltrating into the dispenser through the beverage-pouring port.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided abeverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system and a cock, wherein:

the piping system is provided with a storage tank for storing thebeverage;

the storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank having a coolingdevice and a hot beverage tank having a heating device; and

a device for sterilizing by heat the piping system, the cold beveragetank, the hot beverage tank and the cock is provided.

In the eleventh aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beveragecontainer is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making itpossible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The piping system, the cock,the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank are sterilized by adevice that effects the sterilization by heat. When the dispenser is inuse, a hygienic hot beverage or cold beverage can be served. In theeleventh aspect, further, not only the piping system but also the cockfor supplying the beverage are sterilized by heat, and various germs areprevented from infiltrating into the dispenser through thebeverage-pouring port.

A twelfth aspect is as set forth in the eleventh aspect, wherein thedevice for sterilizing by heat works to circulate the hot beverage inthe hot beverage tank.

Namely, in the twelfth aspect, the germs are easily sterilized bycirculating the hot beverage.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided abeverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system and a cock, wherein:

the piping system is provided with a storage tank for storing thebeverage;

the storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank having a coolingdevice and a hot beverage tank having a heating device;

the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank are connected togetherthrough a communication pipe; and

a device is provided for sterilizing by heat the piping system, thecock, the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank by circulatingthe hot beverage in the hot beverage tank through the piping system, thecock for pouring the cold beverage, the cold beverage tank and the hotbeverage tank using the communication pipe is provided.

In the thirteenth aspect, a cooling device for cooling the beveragecontainer is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, making itpossible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The piping system, the cock,the cold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank are sterilized by adevice that effects the sterilization by heat. When the dispenser is inuse, a hygienic hot beverage or cold beverage can be served. In thethirteenth aspect, further, not only the piping system but also the cockfor supplying the beverage are sterilized by heat, and various germs areprevented from infiltrating into the dispenser through thebeverage-pouring port.

A fourteenth aspect is as set forth in any one of the eleventh tothirteenth aspects, wherein the cold beverage tank and the hot beveragetank are connected together through a communication pipe via acirculation pump and an electromagnetic valve, and a timer is providedto operate the electromagnetic valve and the circulation pump at regularintervals.

In the fourteenth aspect which uses the timer, the cold beverage in thecold beverage tank and the hot beverage in the hot beverage tank areused in a time zone in which the dispenser is used relatively highlyfrequently, such as during the day time, and the hot beverage iscirculated in a time zone in which the dispenser is used relativelylowly frequently, such as at night, to sterilize the piping system.

A fifteenth aspect is as set forth in any one of the eleventh tofourteenth aspects, wherein absorbing means is provided between thebeverage container and the hot beverage tank to absorb a rise in thewater level caused by the volumetric expansion of the hot beverage inthe hot beverage tank.

In the fifteenth aspect, even when the hot water introduction pipeand/or the check valve of the prior art are not provided for thedispenser, the rise in the water level caused by the volumetric changeis absorbed by the absorbing means when the volume of the hot beveragein the hot beverage tank increases by being heated by the heatingdevice. Therefore, the hot beverage is prevented from reversely flowinginto the beverage container to an excess degree, and the pressure in thehot beverage tank is maintained within a predetermined range. Theabsorbing means may be a pipe in the form of, for example, a continuouscoil, or may simply be a pipe that is extended between the beveragecontainer and the hot beverage tank. Or, the absorbing means may beanother cooling device provided between the beverage container and thehot beverage tank.

A sixteenth aspect is as set forth in any one of the first to fifteenthaspects, wherein the beverage is drinking water.

Namely, in the sixteenth aspect, the drinking water is supplied in asterilized state.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, there is provided adevice for sterilizing a beverage dispenser that supplies a beverageincluding drinking water from a beverage container through a pipingsystem, wherein the hot beverage is caused to arrive at a connectionportion of a beverage container connected to a pipe by utilizing thevolumetric expansion of the hot beverage, the beverage container beingconnected to the hot beverage tank through the pipe.

Namely, in the seventeenth aspect, a cooling device for cooling thebeverage container is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, makingit possible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The connection portion issterilized by a device that effects the sterilization by heat. When thedispenser is in use, a hygienic beverage can be served.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided adevice for sterilizing a beverage dispenser that supplies a beverageincluding drinking water from a beverage container through a pipingsystem and a cock, comprising a heating device for heating the beveragein the hot beverage tank, and a device for circulating the hot beveragein the hot beverage tank heated by the heating device.

Namely, in the eighteenth aspect, a cooling device for cooling thebeverage container is omitted, e.g., a refrigerator is omitted, makingit possible to lower the running cost of the dispenser and to lower thecost of production. Further, the dispenser is realized in a small sizefacilitating the transportation thereof. The hot beverage is circulatedto easily sterilize the germs. When the dispenser is in use, a hygienicbeverage can be served.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a common effect isexhibited in that when the dispenser is in use, a hygienic beverage canbe served.

According to the second aspect, the piping system, cold beverage tankand hot beverage tank are sterilized by the device that effects thesterilization by heat.

According to the third aspect, the connection portion is sterilized bythe hot beverage preventing various germs from infiltrating into thebeverage container and from propagating therein.

According to the fourth aspect, the hot beverage is circulated torelatively easily sterilize the connection portion.

According to the fifth aspect, the piping system, cold beverage tank,hot beverage tank and connection portion are sterilized by the devicethat effects the sterilization by heat.

According to the sixth aspect, the hot beverage is prevented fromreversely flowing into the beverage container to an excess degree, andthe pressure in the hot beverage tank is maintained to lie in apredetermined range.

According to the seventh aspect, the cold beverage in the cold beveragetank and the hot beverage in the hot beverage tank are used in a timezone in which the dispenser is used relatively highly frequently, andthe hot beverage is circulated in a time zone in which the dispenser isused relatively lowly frequently to sterilize the piping system.

According to the eighth aspect, the piping system, cock, cold beveragetank, hot beverage tank and connection portion are sterilized by thedevice that effects the sterilization by heat.

According to the ninth aspect, the connection portion is sterilized bythe hot beverage preventing various germs from infiltrating into thebeverage container and from propagating therein.

According to the tenth aspect, the piping system and the cock aresterilized by the device that effects the sterilization by heat.

According to the eleventh aspect, the piping system, the cock, the coldbeverage tank and the hot beverage tank are sterilized by the devicethat effects the sterilization by heat.

According to the twelfth aspect, the hot beverage is circulated toeasily sterilize the germs.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the piping system, the cock, thecold beverage tank and the hot beverage tank are sterilized by thedevice that effects the sterilization by heat.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the cold beverage in the coldbeverage tank and the hot beverage in the hot beverage tank are used ina time zone in which the dispenser is used relatively highly frequently,and the hot beverage is circulated in a time zone in which the dispenseris used relatively lowly frequently to sterilize the piping system.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the hot beverage is prevented fromreversely flowing into the beverage container to an excess degree, andthe pressure in the hot beverage tank is maintained to lie in apredetermined range.

According to the sixteenth aspect, the drinking water is supplied in asterilized state.

According to the seventeenth aspect, the connection portion issterilized by the device that effects the sterilization by heat.

According to the eighteenth embodiment, the hot beverage is circulatedto easily sterilize the germs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a beverage dispenseraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a coldwater-pouring cock when it is being used;

FIG. 2B is a sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, the coldwater-pouring cock during the circulation;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a hotwater-pouring cock and a cold water-pouring cock;

FIG. 3B is a other sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale,another hot water-pouring cock and another cold water-pouring cock;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a portionof the dispenser according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view illustrating the dispenseraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a partial perspective view illustrating a state where adrinking water container is being installed;

FIG. 5C is a partial perspective view illustrating a state where thedrinking water container is being installed; and

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating a conventional drinkingwater dispenser.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same members are denoted bythe same reference numerals. For easy understanding, the scales of thesedrawings are suitably varied.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a beverage dispenseraccording to the present invention. A drinking water container 12 filledwith drinking water as a beverage is a bag-in-box type container whichis mounted on a dispenser 10 by cutting an end of a pouring tube that isformed being connected to an inner bag (not shown) of the bag-in-boxtype container. The container filled with the drinking water may be anykind of container capable of absorbing the volumetric expansion of thedrinking water due to the heating and is intimately sealed. If the innerbag of the bag-in-box type container is of the type provided with aspout, then, the container may be connected to the dispenser through thespout and a connection fitting.

Referring to FIG. 1, a common pipe 21 extending from the drinking watercontainer 12 is branched into a branched pipe 22 and a branched pipe 28,which are connected to two kinds of storage tanks, i.e., to a hot watertank 13 and to a cold water tank 14. The drinking water supplied fromthe drinking water container 12 into the hot water tank 13 is heated bya heating device 15 to a suitable temperature which may be, for example,about 70° C. or higher. Similarly, the drinking water supplied from thedrinking water container 12 into the cold water tank 14 is cooled by acooling device 16 down to about 4° C. to about 10° C. By operating a hotwater-pouring cock 31 provided in the pipe 23 connected to the hot watertank 13, hot water is poured from the pouring port 38. Further, byoperating a cold water-pouring cock 32 provided in the pipe 25 connectedto the cold water tank 14, cold water is poured from the pouring port39.

As will be understood from FIG. 1, the branched pipe 22 for pouring thedrinking water into the hot water tank 13 extends deep into the hotwater tank 13, e.g., extends to not less than 75% of the depth thereof,whereas the pipe 23 for pouring the drinking water out of the hot watertank 13 is extending shallowly into the hot water tank 13, e.g., up tonot more than 25% of the depth. The hot water circulates by convectiontoward the upper part of the hot water tank 13 (upper side in FIG. 1).Therefore, the hot water is efficiently poured from the hot water tank13.

The branched pipe 28 for pouring the drinking water into the cold watertank 14 extends only shallowly into the cold water tank 14, e.g., into adepth of not more than 25%, whereas the pipe 25 for pouring the drinkingwater out of the cold water tank 14 is extending deep into the coldwater tank 14, e.g., up to not less than 75% of the depth. The coldwater circulates by convection toward the bottom of the cold water tank14 (lower side in FIG. 1). Therefore, the cold water is efficientlypoured from the cold water tank 14.

An air vent (not shown) is formed in the wall near the upper part of thecold water tank 14, and bubbles that have arrived at the upper part ofthe cold water tank 14 enter into the pipe 25 through the air vent, andare drained through the cold water cock 32.

As will be understood from FIG. 1, a communication pipe 24 extendingfrom the hot water tank 13 is connected to the cold water-pouring cock32 of the pipe 25, the communication pipe 24 being provided with acirculation valve 35 and a circulation pump 40. The circulation valve 35is an electromagnetic valve that is operated by, for example, asolenoid. As shown, further, a pipe 26 provided with a drain valve 33 isextending from a communication pipe 24 and, similarly, a pipe 27provided with a drain valve 34 is extending from the cold water tank 14.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, the coldwater-pouring cock when it is being used, and FIG. 2B is a sectionalview illustrating, on an enlarged scale, the cold water-pouring cockduring the circulation. As shown in these drawings, the coldwater-pouring cock 32 includes a valve seat 44 provided in a casing 41and a valve body 42 that comes into contact therewith. The valve body 42is usually in contact with the valve seat 44 causing the coldwater-pouring cock 32 to be closed. When a user pushes down a lever (notshown), however, the valve body 42 separates away from the valve seat44, and the cold water-pouring cock 32 is opened. As will be describedlater, further, the hot water-pouring cock 31, too, is constitutednearly in the same manner as the cold water-pouring cock 32. The valvebody 42 can be opened and closed even by a separately provided actuator(not shown) in addition to being operated by the user through the lever.Concretely speaking, if the valve body 42 and valve body 47 remainopened during the heat-sterilization by circulating the hot water, theuser of the dispenser may suffer a burn. During the sterilization byheat, therefore, the valve body 42 and valve body 47 is closed. Evenafter the sterilization by heating, the valve body 42 and valve body 47is controlled to remain closed until the temperature of the cold watertank 14 decreases down to 30° C. or lower so that the user of thedispenser will not suffer a burn.

Referring to FIG. 2A, when the dispenser 10 is in use, the user pushesthe lever down to open the valve body 42. Therefore, the cold water inthe cold water tank 14 flows into the cold water-pouring cock 32 throughthe pipe 25, and is poured from the pouring port 39 of the coldwater-pouring cock 32. When in use, the circulation valve 35 (seeFIG. 1) in the communication pipe 24 is closed. Therefore, the coldwater that may flow into part of the communication pipe 24 shown in FIG.2A during the use does not flow up to the side of the hot water tank 13passing through the circulation valve 35.

When the dispenser 10 is not in use, i.e., when the hot water-pouringcock 31 and the cold water-pouring cock 32 are closed, on the otherhand, the circulation valve 35 in the communication pipe 24 shown inFIG. 1 is opened and the circulation pump 40 is driven. Therefore, thehot water in the hot water tank 13 passes through the communication pipe24 and arrives at the cold water-pouring cock 32 as shown in FIG. 2B.The body 42 at this moment is in contact with the valve seat 44 and thecold water-pouring cock 32 is closed. Therefore, the hot water thatflowed into the cold water-pouring cock 32 from the communication pipe24 is not poured from the pouring port 39 but flows into the cold watertank 14 through the pipe 25. The hot water that flowed into the coldwater tank 14 so circulates as to return into the hot water tank 13through the branched pipe 28 and the branched pipe 22. As describedabove, the hot water in the hot water tank 13 has been heated at atemperature of not lower than 55° C. and is capable of accomplishing theheat-sterilization. Therefore, the hot water that is circulating worksto heat-sterilize the communication pipe 24, cold water-pouring cock 32,pipe 25, cold water tank 14, branched pipe 28, branched pipe 22 and hotwater tank 13. When the hot water tank 13 is heated at a temperature inexcess of 95° C., it becomes probable that the hot water reversely flowsto the drinking water container 12. Therefore, the operation of theheating device 15 is stopped or controlled by a separately providedcontrol device (not shown).

The present invention uses no cooling device for cooling the drinkingwater container 12, i.e., uses no refrigerator (see refrigerator 110shown in FIG. 6). Therefore, the drinking water in the drinking watercontainer 12 is maintained at normal temperature, and it is probablethat various germs that have infiltrated through the pouring ports 38and 39 into the drinking water container 12 may propagate in thedrinking water container 12. However, as the hot water is circulated toheat-sterilize the communication pipe 24, cold water-pouring cock 32,pipe 25, cold water tank 14, branched pipe 28, branched pipe 22 and hotwater tank 13, it is made possible to prevent various germs frominfiltrating into the drinking water container 12. When the dispenser 10is in use, therefore, hygienic hot water or cold water can be served.During the heat-sterilization, it is preferable to discontinue theoperation of the cooling device 14 for the cold water tank 14. Thisavoids the temperature of the hot water being circulated from becominglower than the sterilization temperature. When the hot water is to becirculated, further, the valve body 42 shown in FIG. 2B may be suitablyelevated by an actuator (not shown), so that the hot water flows to thepouring port 39 of the cold water-pouring cock 32 to heat-sterilize thepouring port 39.

Further, the circulation valve 35 and the circulation pump 40 areconnected to a timer (not shown). Upon setting the timer, it is madepossible to open the circulation valve 35 and to drive the circulationpump 40 after the passage of a predetermined period of time and, then,to close the circulation valve 35 and to halt the circulation pump 40after the passage of another predetermined period of time. The dispenser10 of this invention is, in many cases, installed in offices and ingeneral households, and is frequently used in a predetermined time zonesuch as during the day time but the frequency of use sharply drops inanother predetermined time zone such as at night. Therefore, the timermay be so set that the hot water circulates in only a time zone wherethe frequency of use is low, such as at night to heat-sterilize thedispenser 10 in the time zone where the frequency of use is low withoutspoiling the convenience for the users.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are sectional views illustrating, on an enlarged scale,a hot water-pouring cock and a cold water-pouring cock. Referring toFIG. 3A, the hot water-pouring cock 31 is constituted in the same manneras the cold water-pouring cock 32, and includes a valve body 47 in thecasing 46 and a valve seat 49 that comes in contact therewith. As shown,the pouring port 38 of the hot water-pouring cock 31 is communicatedwith a pipe 53, and the pouring port 39 of the cold water-pouring cock32 is communicated with a pipe 54. The pipes 53 and 54 are furthercommunicated with a common pouring port 55. When the dispenser 10 is inuse, therefore, both the hot water from the hot water-pouring cock 31and the cold water from the cold water-pouring cock 32 are poured fromthe common pouring port 55.

When in use, the temperature is relatively high near the hotwater-pouring cock 31. Therefore, various germs infiltrated through thecommon pouring port 55 are heat-sterilized near the hot water-pouringcock 31. The temperature, on the other hand, is relatively low near thecold water-pouring cock 32. Therefore, various germs adhered near thecold water-pouring cock 32 are not heat-sterilized. In this invention,however, the pipe 53 for supplying the hot water and the pipe 54 forsupplying the cold water are communicated with each other. Therefore,the hot water poured from the common pouring port 55 through the pipe 53flows into the pipe 54. When the hot water is poured, therefore, thepipe 54 for supplying the cold water is heat-sterilized simultaneously.When in use, therefore, various germs are prevented from entering intothe cold water-pouring cock 32.

Referring to FIG. 3B, further, a hole 51 may be formed in the pipe 53relatively close to the pouring port 38 of the hot water-pouring cock31, and a hole 52 may be formed in the pipe 54 relatively close to thepouring port 39 of the cold water-pouring cock 32. These holes 51 and 52are much smaller than the pipes 53 and 54. When the dispenser 10 is inuse, therefore, the hot water and the cold water passing through thepipe 53 and the pipe 54, do not flow out through the holes 51 and 52.When the hot water and the cold water are poured from the common pouringport 55, the air goes out of the pipes 53 and 54 through the holes 51and 52. Therefore, the hot water and the cold water in the pipes 53 and54 easily arrive at the pipes 53 and 54. Thereafter, the air enters intothe pipes 53 and 54 through the holes 51 and 52, whereby the hot waterand the cold water in the pipes 53 and 54 are pushed by the air and flowout from the common pouring port 55. The hot water or the cold water isprevented from staying in the pipes 53, 54 or from staying in the commonpouring port 55. Therefore, the dispenser of this invention preventsvarious germs from infiltrating into the hot water or the cold waterstaying in the pipes 53, 54 and in the common pouring port 55.

Next, described below is how to install the drinking water container 12in the body of the dispenser 10. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating, on anenlarged scale, a portion of the dispenser according to the invention,FIG. 5A is a is a partial perspective view illustrating the dispenseraccording to the invention, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are partial perspectiveviews illustrating a state where the drinking water container is beinginstalled. As described above, the drinking water container 12 is asealed container of the bag-in-box type. A pouring port 62 formed beingcoupled to the inner bag is connected to a common pipe 21 on the side ofthe dispenser. Referring to FIG. 4, the pouring port 62 is formed in theneck portion 61, and a seal that can be peeled off is stuck to the toppanel of the neck portion. A seal film is provided at the inner part inthe neck portion to maintain the drinking water filled therein aseptic.When connected to the common pipe 21 on the side of the dispenser asshown in FIG. 5A, the drinking water container 12 is installed on a rackplate 65 of the dispenser in a state where the seal is peeled off thetop panel in the neck portion of the pouring port.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a recessed portion 66 is formed in the rack plate65. To install the drinking water container 12, first, the neck portion61 of the drinking water container 12 is partly inserted in the recessedportion 66. At this moment, a groove portion 63 formed in the neckportion 61 is fitted to the rack plate 65. Next, referring to FIG. 4,again, the rack plate 65 is slightly pivoted about a hinge 70 so as totilt the rack plate 65 on which the drinking water container 12 isarranged, and a stand 71 that pivots about a hinge 72 is brought intoengagement with a stand-engaging portion 73 provided on the rack plate65 thereby to maintain the rack plate 65 aslant. Referring next to FIG.5C, the neck portion 61 of the drinking water container 12 is completelypushed into the rear. Then, the neck portion 61 completely pushed intothe recessed portion 66 is arranged at a position corresponding to asharp end 21A of the common pipe 21 attached to the rack plate 69 of thedispenser 10. Next, the rack plate 65 is pivoted to a horizontalposition as represented by a dot-dash chain line in FIG. 4. At thismoment, the rack plate 65 is pivoted in a direction to be further liftedup aslant, so that the stand 71 is disengaged from the stand-engagingportion 73. The stand 71 returns by itself to the state of before beingpivoted. Therefore, the sharp end 21A of the common pipe 21 enters intothe pouring port 62 of the neck portion 61 and pierces the seal film inthe neck portion 61. Due to its own weight, therefore, the drinkingwater in the drinking water container 12 flows into the common pipe 21.The drinking water container 120 of the dispenser 100 according to theprior art is arranged in the refrigerator 110 (see FIG. 6), and the rackplate provided with the drinking water container 120 cannot be pivoted.The dispenser 10 of the present invention, on the other hand, is notprovided with the refrigerator 110. Upon simply pivoting the rack plate65 provided with the drinking water container 12, therefore, the sealfilm in the neck portion 61 can be easily pierced by utilizing theweight of the drinking water container and of the drinking water in thedrinking water container, making it very easy to install the drinkingwater container 12.

As will be understood with reference again to FIG. 1, when the drinkingwater in the hot water tank 13 is heated by the heating device 15, itsvolume expands. In the prior art, the hot water introduction pipe 290 isprovided to absorb the rise in the water level caused by the volumetricexpansion (see FIG. 6). According to the present invention, thedispenser 10 is not provided with the hot water introduction pipe, andthe common pipe 21 of the dispenser 10 is not provided with the checkvalve. Therefore, the hot water that circulates may partly flow into thecommon pipe 21. The pipe 22, pipe 28 and common pipe 21 are connected inan inverse Y-shape, and the drinking water stays in the connectedportion in order to prevent the propagation of various germs. Further,the dispenser 10 of this invention is not provided with a refrigeratorfor cooling the drinking water container 12. Therefore, the length L ofthe common pipe 21 must be such that the expanded volume of the hotwater does not flow, or flows only a little, into the drinking watercontainer 12 through the common pipe 21, so that various germs will notpropagate in the drinking water container 12. At the time of installingthe drinking water container 12, on the other hand, various germs mayinfiltrate when the sharp end 21A of the common pipe 21 pierces the sealfilm in the neck portion 61. It is therefore preferably that the neckportion 61 is heat-sterilized when the hot water circulates. Namely, itis preferably that the length L of the common pipe 21 is such that partof the hot water flowing through the pipe 28 and pipe 22 due to theexpansion of the hot water arrives at the neck portion 61 only of thedrinking water container 12. This makes it possible to heat-sterilizethe neck portion 61 of the drinking water container 12.

When in use, further, the temperature of the drinking water in the hotwater tank is elevated by being heated by the heating device 15, and thevolume expands. In the present invention, a portion 60 for absorbing therise of water level due to the volumetric expansion is arranged betweenthe drinking water container 12 and the hot water tank 13 in FIG. 1. Theportion 60 for absorbing the rise of water level due to the volumetricexpansion in FIG. 1 is formed in the shape of a continuous coiled pipe.When the dispenser 10 is in use, the circulation valve 35 is closed.Therefore, part of the drinking water of which the volume is expanded bybeing heated by the heating device 15, i.e., the hot water of an amountthat is expanded, can flow into the portion 60 for absorbing the rise ofwater level. The drinking water in the portion 60 for absorbing the riseof water level reversely flows into the drinking water container 12 dueto the volumetric expansion. As a result of the volumetric expansion,the hot water is spontaneously cooled in the portion 60 for absorbingthe rise of water level, and the volume of an amount that has expandedcontracts. In the present invention, therefore, the hot water in the hotwater tank 13 is prevented from reversely flowing into the drinkingwater container 12.

The portion 60 for absorbing the rise of water level caused by a changein the volume of the hot water shown in FIG. 1 is a pipe in the form ofa continuous coil. However, a pipe between the drinking water containerand the hot water tank may simply be extended so as to work as theportion 60 for absorbing the rise of water level. If the pipe 22 isintroduced into the hot water tank 13 from the side surface close to thebottom of the hot water tank 13, then, the pipe system need not beunnecessarily expanded. Besides, another cooling device (not shown)provided between the drinking water container 12 and the hot water tank13 may be used as the portion 60 for absorbing the rise of water level,so that the hot water is cooled and its volume is reliably reduced.Moreover, some of the above-mentioned embodiments may be suitablycombined together without departing from the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE

The drinking water container 12 was installed in the dispenser 10 of theinvention in a laboratory, the drinking water was charged into thepiping system according to a predetermined procedure, and the heatingdevice 15 and the cooling device 16 were driven. When the operation ofthe dispenser 10 was stabilized after the passage of a predeterminedperiod of time or, here, when the temperature of the drinking water inthe dispenser 10 has reached about 70 to 80° C. after the passage of 30minutes, the hot water-pouring cock 31 of the dispenser 10 was operatedto pour the hot water into three sterilizing Erlenmeyer flasks of acapacity of 500 ml. Similarly, the cold water-pouring cock 32 wasoperated to pour the cold water into another three sterilizingErlenmeyer flasks of a capacity of 500 ml. The hot water and cold watersamples poured into the Erlenmeyer flasks were quickly tested formicroorganisms.

After the above sampling, the dispenser 10 is maintained in a statewhere it is usually used, and the cold water and the hot water inamounts that would be usually used were poured out every day through thehot water-pouring cock 31 and the cold water-pouring cock 32.

The microorganism testing was conducted after the operation of thedispenser 10 was stabilized (0th day), on the 4th day, 7th day, 14th dayand 21st day after the operation of the dispenser 10 was stabilized. Thecold water samples and the hot water samples were examined for theirnumbers of living germs and were tested for their coliform group asdescribed below.

To examine the number of living germs, 3 g/l of a Trypticase Soy Broth(manufactured by Nihon Pecton-Deckinson Co.) and 15 g/l of agar weredissolved in distilled water, and were sterilized with high-pressuresteam at a temperature of 121° C. for 15 minutes. After sterilization,the dissolved matter was poured in an amount of about 15 ml into thesterilized plastic laboratory dishes (diameter of 90 mm, depth of 15 mm)to prepare 1/10 TSA culture media which were agar flat board culturemedia.

Next, the cold water samples in an amount of 1 ml (hereinafter referredto as “sample A”), in an amount of 10 ml (hereinafter referred to as“sample B”), and in an amount of 100 ml (hereinafter referred to as“sample C”) were passed through membrane filters. The membrane filterswere placed on the 1/10 TSA culture media, and were cultured at atemperature of 28° C. for 5 days to examine the numbers of living germs(membrane filtering method). Similarly, the hot water samples in anamount of 100 ml (hereinafter referred to as “sample D”), in an amountof 100 ml (hereinafter referred to as “sample E”), and in an amount of100 ml (hereinafter referred to as “sample F”) were passed throughmembrane filters. The membrane filters were placed on the 1/10 TSAculture media, and were cultured at a temperature of 28° C. for 5 daysto examine the numbers of living germs (membrane filtering method).Table 1 shows the examined results of the numbers of living germs. InTable 1, the number of living germs is per 100, ml (cells/100 ml).

TABLE 1 The Number of Living Germs (cells/100 ml) The Number of Daysfrom the Start of Samples from the Cold Samples from the Hot the TestWater-pouring Cock Water-pouring Cock (Day) Sample A Sample B Sample CSample D Sample E Sample F 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 140 0 0 0 0 0 21 0 0 0 0 0 0

To test the coliform group, further, the cold water sample and the hotwater sample each in an amount of 50 ml were poured into a coliformgroup testing culture medium (Pro-media XM-50, manufactured by ErmexCo.). Next, cold water samples were poured from the cold water cock intothree culture media (sample G, sample H, sample I). Similarly, hot watersamples were poured from the hot water cock into three culture media(sample J, sample K, sample L). These samples were cultured at atemperature of 35° C. for 18 hours to 24 hours to judge the results.Table 2 shows the results of the test of coliform group.

TABLE 2 Coliform Group Test The Number of Days from the Start of Samplesfrom the Cold Samples from the Hot the Test Water-pouring CockWater-pouring Cock (Day) Sample G Sample H Sample I Sample J Sample KSample L 0 Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative 4Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative 1 NegativeNegative Negative Negative Negative Negative 14 Negative NegativeNegative Negative Negative Negative 21 Negative Negative NegativeNegative Negative Negative

As shown in Table 1, the number of living germs was zero in both thecold water samples (collected from the cold water-pouring cock) and thehot water samples (collected from the hot water-pouring cock) after theoperation of the dispenser 10 was stabilized until 21 days have passed.As shown in Table 2, further, the results of the test of coliform groupwere negative in both the cold water samples and the hot water samplesafter the operation of the dispenser 10 was stabilized until 21 dayshave passed.

From the examination of the number of living germs and the testing ofcoliform group, therefore, it was learned that hygienic drinking watercan be supplied even when a refrigerator is not used for the drinkingwater container. The above dispenser makes it possible to lower therunning cost and the production cost, and can be realized in a smallsize, facilitating the transportation thereof. Besides, the dispensercan be installed in a place where it was difficult to install thedispenser for supplying hygienic drinking water, such as in generalhouseholds.

Although the invention has been shown and described with exemplaryembodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the artthat the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additionsmay be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the invention.

1. A beverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinkingwater from a beverage container through a piping system, wherein adevice for sterilizing by heat said piping system and a connectionportion of said beverage container connected to said piping system isprovided.
 2. A beverage dispenser for supplying a beverage includingdrinking water from a beverage container through a piping system,wherein: said piping system is provided with a storage tank for storingthe beverage; said storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tankhaving a cooling device and a hot beverage tank having a heating device;and a device for sterilizing by heat said piping system, said coldbeverage tank, said hot beverage tank and a connection portion of saidbeverage container connected to said piping system is provided.
 3. Abeverage dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said device, forsterilizing by heat, causes said hot beverage to arrive at theconnection portion of said beverage container connected to said pipingsystem.
 4. A beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein saiddevice, for sterilizing by heat, causes said hot beverage to arrive atthe connection portion of said beverage container connected to saidpiping system by utilizing the volumetric expansion of the hot beverage.5. A beverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinkingwater from a beverage container through a piping system, wherein: saidpiping system is provided with a storage tank for storing the beverage;said storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank having acooling device and a hot beverage tank having a heating device; the hotbeverage in said hot beverage tank is caused to arrive at a connectionportion of said beverage container connected to said piping system, saidcold beverage tank and said hot beverage tank are connected togetherthrough a communication pipe; and a device is provided for sterilizingby heat said piping system, said cold beverage tank, said hot beveragetank and the connection portion of said beverage container connected tosaid piping system by circulating the hot beverage in the hot beveragetank through said piping system, said cold beverage tank and said hotbeverage tank using said communication pipe, is provided.
 6. A beveragedispenser according to claim 1, wherein absorbing means is providedbetween said beverage container and said hot beverage tank to absorb arise in the water level caused by the volumetric expansion of the hotbeverage in said hot beverage tank.
 7. A beverage dispenser according toclaim 2, wherein said cold beverage tank and said hot beverage tank areconnected together through a communication pipe via a circulation pumpand an electromagnetic valve, and a timer is provided to operate saidelectromagnetic valve and said circulation pump at regular intervals. 8.A beverage dispenser for supplying a beverage including drinking waterfrom a beverage container through a piping system, wherein: said pipingsystem is provided with a storage tank for storing the beverage and witha cock; said storage tank includes at least a cold beverage tank havinga cooling device and a hot beverage tank having a heating device; and adevice for sterilizing by heat said piping system, said cock, said coldbeverage tank, said hot beverage tank and a connection portion of saidbeverage container connected to said piping system is provided.
 9. Abeverage dispenser according to claim 8, wherein said device forsterilizing by heat causes the hot beverage in said hot beverage tank toarrive at a connection portion of said beverage container connected tosaid piping system, said cold beverage tank and said hot beverage tankare connected together through a communication pipe, and the hotbeverage in said hot beverage tank is circulated through said pipingsystem, said cock, said cold beverage tank and said hot beverage tank byusing said communication pipe.
 10. A beverage dispenser for supplying abeverage including drinking water from a beverage container through apiping system and a cock, wherein a device for sterilizing by heat saidpiping system and said cock is provided.
 11. A beverage dispenser forsupplying a beverage including drinking water from a beverage containerthrough a piping system and a cock, wherein: said piping system isprovided with a storage tank for storing the beverage; said storage tankincludes at least a cold beverage tank having a cooling device and a hotbeverage tank having a heating device; and a device for sterilizing byheat said piping system, said cold beverage tank, said hot beverage tankand said cock is provided.
 12. A beverage dispenser according to claim11, wherein said device for sterilizing by heat works to circulate thehot beverage in the hot beverage tank.
 13. A beverage dispenser forsupplying a beverage including drinking water from a beverage containerthrough a piping system and a cock, wherein: said piping system isprovided with a storage tank for storing the beverage; said storage tankincludes at least a cold beverage tank having a cooling device and a hotbeverage tank having a heating device; said cold beverage tank and saidhot beverage tank are connected together through a communication pipe;and a device is provided for sterilizing by heat said piping system,said cock, said cold beverage tank and said hot beverage tank bycirculating the hot beverage tank through said piping system, said cockfor pouring the cold beverage, said cold beverage tank and said hotbeverage tank using said communication pipe is provided.
 14. A beveragedispenser according to claim 11, wherein said cold beverage tank andsaid hot beverage tank are connected together through a communicationpipe via a circulation pump and an electromagnetic valve, and a timer isprovided to operate said electromagnetic valve and said circulation pumpat regular intervals.
 15. A beverage dispenser according to claim 11,wherein absorbing means is provided between said beverage container andsaid hot beverage tank to absorb a rise in the water level caused by thevolumetric expansion of the hot beverage in said hot beverage tank. 16.A beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the beverage isdrinking water.
 17. A device for sterilizing a beverage dispenser thatsupplies a beverage including drinking water from a beverage containerthrough a piping system, wherein the hot beverage is caused to arrive ata connection portion of a beverage container connected to a pipe byutilizing the volumetric expansion of the hot beverage, said beveragecontainer being connected to said hot beverage tank through said pipe.18. A device for sterilizing a beverage dispenser that supplies abeverage including drinking water from a beverage container through apiping system and a cock, comprising a heating device for heating thebeverage in a hot beverage tank, and a device for circulating the hotbeverage in said hot beverage tank heated by said heating device.
 19. Abeverage dispenser according to claim 2, wherein absorbing means isprovided between said beverage container and said hot beverage tank toabsorb a rise in the water level caused by the volumetric expansion ofthe hot beverage in said hot beverage tank.
 20. A beverage dispenseraccording to claim 2, wherein the beverage is drinking water.